The Lagos State Government has opened the inbound section of the AFA Bridge on Agric-Isawo Road in Ikorodu to traffic, providing relief to residents and commuters who have endured years of flooding, poor road conditions and difficult journeys along the axis.
The opening followed an inspection of ongoing road and bridge projects in Ikorodu and Kosofe by the Special Adviser to the Governor on Infrastructure, Olufemi Daramola, alongside the Permanent Secretary, Office of Infrastructure, Olutokunbo Oyenuga, and other government officials.
Daramola said the completed inbound section would allow motorists to avoid the floodplain that had previously become a major obstacle, while construction continues on the outbound carriageway.
He urged motorists to comply with temporary traffic management measures, obey speed limits and avoid reckless driving, stressing that the area remains a construction zone. He also directed drivers to avoid unauthorised bus stops and passenger loading around the bridge to ensure smoother traffic flow.
Pedestrians were similarly advised to use designated walkways and keep away from construction areas for their safety.
The development was welcomed by residents and community leaders, who described the opening as a major relief after years of hardship. Abiodun Sunday, General Secretary of the Community Development Committee, Ikorodu West LCDA Road Committee, said residents would no longer have to drive through floodwater or struggle up temporary staircases to cross the area.
The inspection team also visited the ongoing rehabilitation of Itowolo Bridge and reconstruction of the Aruna U-Turn in Ikorodu. Residents said the rehabilitation of the bridge would address a longstanding transportation challenge in the community.
At Mile 12 in Kosofe, the team inspected the Maidan-Patele Link Bridge and Approach Roads project, which is expected to improve access for residents who had been forced to rely on canoes after the failure of the former pedestrian bridge, particularly during periods of heavy rainfall.
Daramola urged residents to protect the infrastructure, noting that the projects were funded with taxpayers’ money. He also assured residents that the government would continue working to improve road and bridge infrastructure across the affected communities.
